Jenison preschool raises $5,676 for Make-A-Wish

The Learning Experience in Jenison, Michigan, raised $5,676 in April through its annual “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign for Make-A-Wish. The effort turned classroom philanthropy into a hands-on lesson in empathy while adding to a nationwide total of more than $11.5 million raised since 2018.

Why it matters: - The campaign links early childhood education with real-world philanthropy. - The money supports Make-A-Wish and helps grant wishes for children living with critical illnesses. - The program also teaches preschoolers kindness, empathy, generosity and community service through direct participation.

What happened: - Preschoolers, families and staff at The Learning Experience in Jenison raised $5,676 during the center’s month-long “Let’s Grant Wishes” campaign in April. - The fundraiser benefited Make-A-Wish. - The effort included donations, events and classroom activities. - The campaign took place at The Learning Experience in Jenison, Michigan.

The details: - Children wrote encouraging letters to wish children. - Preschoolers took part in fundraising events. - Classroom activities focused on compassion and helping others. - Center leaders Cynthia Umphrey, Mollie Blixt, Sierra Zaban, Sheala Kocur, Alicia Shepherd, Korynn Torpey and Lisa Von Dort guided the campaign. - The center used philanthropic mascots “Grace the Greyhound” and “Charity Chihuahua” during the activities. - The Learning Experience said the campaign reflects its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of children, families and the communities it serves. - The preschool’s philanthropy curriculum introduces children to kindness, inclusion, generosity and community service through age-appropriate experiences. - Since 2018, The Learning Experience centers nationwide have raised more than $11.5 million for Make-A-Wish.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser doubles as a teaching tool, using service projects to reinforce classroom lessons. - The Jenison campaign shows how preschool programs can use community fundraising to build social-emotional learning. - The nationwide total suggests the Make-A-Wish partnership has become a recurring part of The Learning Experience brand identity.

What's next: - The Learning Experience will continue its annual philanthropy campaign as part of its broader early education program. - The company’s wider network of more than 480 open centers and more than 240 additional locations in development gives the fundraiser room to scale further. - The Learning Experience says its approach will keep combining childcare, education and community service for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.

The bottom line: - A local preschool fundraiser became both a community donation drive and an early lesson in giving back.